Enjoy the romantic scenery of Cortona Italy while learning to capture what you see and feel in your plein-air paintings.John will share with you his years of experience painting en Plein-Air.Learn how to quickly block-in the basic compositional elements and how to capture the essence of that initial “Glimpse.”
Learn to be more aware of the large shapes, values, color temperature and brushwork that give your painting that wonderful spontaneous quality.
Read more about this workshop below...
Picture Yourself...
among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany & Umbria: olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.
Feel Yourself...
in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels.
Experience...
the joy of painting en plein air in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a internationally know painter and instructor and the camaraderie of a small group of learners.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
Daily agenda: The day will typically start with a short demo and discussion by John showing the basic block-in methods. We will discuss such topics as the use of the viewfinder and how to look for the large shapes and values. Questions will be welcome as the painting progresses. Personal attention will be given to each studentand their needs as well as daily critiques.
John's approach to painting en plein air.... The quest for eloquence in my painting is ongoing.
Strong design elements, an appropriately chosen colour palette, spontaneous brushwork and underlying luminosity are key elements that allow me to share with others what I see and feel.
A playright once wrote: “Without doubt, beauty is to be found everywhere, but it takes an artist to see it and understand it.”
My goal:“To share with others the beauty that my eyes see, my heart feels, and my soul yearns to understand.”
Itinerary
Saturday – Arrival in Cortona -Arrival and Check-in in Cortona at Casa Betania. -7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta. -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona Sunday - Cortona -9:00a-1:00p Morning Session at Casa Betania -1:00p Lunch Casa Betania -3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session at at Casa Betania -7:30p Wine tasting at IL Pozzo -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona Monday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch -3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona Tuesday - Orvieto -7:30a Taxi to Camucia Station (train at 8:05a) -Day trip to Orvieto with lunch provided -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Dinner in Cortona Wednesday - Cortona -9:00-12:00p Morning Session -12:00p Lunch -2:00-5:00p Afternoon Session -5:45p Taxi to Tuscan cooking class & dinner -9:30p Taxi to Casa Betania Thursday - Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore -7:40a - Depart Cortona and travel to Passignano followed by boat to Isola Maggiore -8:05a – Depart Camucia by train for Passignano & Isola Maggiore -1:00p Lunch -6:30 return to Cortona/Camucia -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Dinner in Cortona Friday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch -3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session -8:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona Saturday – Cortona -Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay! -Each guest must make taxi/travel requests through the Casa Betania front desk. Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate
All-inclusive enrollment options include: Instruction on location Escorted group travel Rome to Cortona April 9, 2011**** Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona**
Local museums and events
All meals***(Italian breakfast, lunch & dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities
Day trip to Orvieto Day trip to Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore Tuscan Cooking class & dinner A farewell wine tasting dinner
**Included with "Casa Betania" plans only, see details
***Included with "Group Meal Plans" only, see details
****Specific departure time only; to be announced *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans A, C, E, G and Hostel plans I & K only. Air travel is the responsibility of each participant. Florence (FLR) and Rome (FCO) the suggested arrival and departure airports in Italy.
Casa Betania proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops
Visit Casa Betania online!
Participant Supply List
Portable easel.Umbrella. Chair, (optional) Lint free paper towels, sun block. Large brimmed hat.Light weight panels. Sizes are discretionary. ( These items are rather elementary and anyone that has painted en-plein air already knows what to bring) I suggest that solvents be purchased locally rather than take a chance at customs and security at the airport. Limited palette:(This a minimum palette designed to reduce cost and weight but still achieve most colours needed. ) Alizarin Crimson.Cobalt Blue.Cadmium Yellow Middle.Titanium White and Black.
Full Palette:Lemon Yellow.Cad. Yellow Middle.Cad. Red light.Alizarin Crimson.French Ultramarine Blue.Cobalt Blue. Prussian Blue. (Thalo Blue) Viridian Green.Sap Green. Yellow Ochre. Burnt Sienna.Titanium White and Black.
Taltine solvent for oils and small container.(Preferably with cover)
For Acrylics I suggest a Wet Palette container and separate mixing tray.
Bristle Brushes for oils and synthetic for Acrylics and Water soluble oils:
Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns.” Cortona, which is often called the “City of Art,” has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman times with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed. An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with music & art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine mountains.
